Road transport: Commission refers Finland to the Court of Justice over promotion of clean vehicles

Brussels, 22 March 2012 - The European Commission has decided to refer Finland to the European Union’s Court of Justice for failing to fully implement a directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles. So far, Finland has only partially brought its national legislation into line with this Directive although it was required to do so by 4 December 2010. The Directive has been transposed in mainland Finland but measures concerning the Province of Åland are still missing. In accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, the Commission will ask the Court to impose on Finland a daily penalty payment of €13,277.25 until the adoption of all the necessary national measures for a complete transposition.

The EU rules

Directive 2009/33/EC aims to enhance a broad market introduction of environmentally-friendly vehicles in Europe. It requires that energy and environmental impacts linked to the operation of vehicles over their whole lifetime are taken into account in purchase decisions. These lifetime impacts of vehicles shall include at least energy consumption, CO2 emissions and emissions of the regulated pollutants of NOx, NMHC and particulate matter. If the impacts are monetised for inclusion in the purchasing decision, common rules shall be followed as defined in the Directive for calculating the lifetime costs linked to the operation of vehicles.

Member States had until 4 December 2010 to transpose the directive into their national legislation and to notify domestic implementation measures to the Commission.

The reason for today's action

Finland still has not fully transposed Directive 2009/33/EC.

The Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Finland on 25 November 2011. In its reply, Finland indicated that the pending measures for the Province of Åland are expected to be adopted in June 2012.

The practical effect of non-implementation

Although only measures concerning the Province of Åland are still missing for a complete transposition, failing to fully implement the Directive would be deleterious for achieving a broad market of clean and energy-efficient vehicles in Finland and neighbouring countries.